Rigid hoop-knife fob splitting leather



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I). H. CHABLIBERLAIN, OF VEST ROXBURY, MASSACHUSETTS.

RIGID HOOP-KNIFE FOR SPLITTING LEATHER, &c.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 17,554, dated June 16, 1857.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DEXTER H. CHAMBER- LAIN, of IVest Roxbury, in the county of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improved Rigid Continuous Edge Hoop Knife or Cutter, of which the following is a full, clear, and eXact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a view of my improved knife, also showing the manner in which it is driven. Fig. 2 is a plan of the frame, and of the semicircular table which may be used when the knife is employed for splitting leather. Fig. 3 is a section on the line w, .fr of Fig. 2. Fig. 4, a section across the knife enlarged.

As my present invention has reference to the form of the rigid hoop shapedcutting knife and the mode of driving the same, I need not enter into a detailed description of the machines in which it is intended to be used, but merely state that it is particularly applicable to machines for splitting leather, cutting cork, and for similar purposes Where a continuo-us cutting edge is required.

I have shown in the said drawings a semicircular table or carriage on which a hide of leather or article to be split may be distended and be fed up to the knife by suitable machinery.

A, is the bed from which rise standards supporting ways B, with groove a, along their outer edges, in these grooves fit the edges of a semicircular or arched table C,

the exterior surface or circumference of which is such that it can pass Within the edge of the knife D, as seen in Fig. 3, leaving a space between it and the knife of the thickness required for the passage of the leather. This table is fed along on its ways B, in any suitable manner which need not now be described.

The knife is of the form shown in Fig. l, and in section in Fig. 4. It is of suf flcient thickness at the back at to render it rigid, the outer face of the hoop being beveled regularly down to the edge at c. The inner face is also slightly beveled from the edge c, back to point c, (see Fig. 4) where there is a recess, from the point e, to the back at b. The interior diameter of the knife is slightly enlarged and is also beveled toward b, thus making the interior diameter a little greater at e, than at c, and

greater at Z), than at c, so that the leather,

or shaving from any other article being cut, may pass freely through between the knife and the table C.

The manner in which this knife is driven will now be explained. Supported in suitable bearings at f, Fig. -in standards ris- 'ing from the bed A, are two beveled rollers E, one on each side of the bed, of the form shown in Fig. l, the bevel of the rollers corresponding with the bevel of the outer face of the hoop knife D, which rests on them as in Figs. l and 3. These rollers are enlarged-at the back end, forming a shoulder z' against which the back of the knife runs;4 this confines the knife in one direction and the bevel of the rollers E prevents it from moving in the other direction, and compels it to travel when revolved, always, in the same vertical plane passing transversely through the machine. Standards G rising from the bed A, carry a shaft H, which is driven by power applied to the pulley I. Attached to the shaft H, in the same vertical plane with the knife D, is a roller K, which rests upon the inner face of the knife and drives it as the shaft I-I is revolved, by the friction of their surfaces; the face m, of the roller K, is of a width to correspond with the beveled recess in the inner face of the knife between the point e, and the back b, and is beveled to match the inclination of the face of the knife; as the edge of the face of the roller runs in contact with the shoulder formed at e, by the recess, it is an additional means of steadying and retaining the knife in position.

It will thus be seen that the knife hoop D, may be rapidly and steadily revolved in a plane at right angles to its edge, the edge being drawn constantly over the table C, at the proper distance above it; the hoop running outside of the ways B, allows the table C, to be fed along on its ways, passing through the hoop.

I am aware that continuous edged revolving knives have been used for splitting leather and for cutting other articles (I may mention the disk knife and the belt knife) and also that cylindrical saws have been used for the purpose of cutting out barrel staves and for similar work. I am also aware that a hollow mandrel sharpened at one end so as to form a continuous cutting edge has been employed in cork machines. I do not therefore claim any of these devices, as from the very nature of.

volves oers the greatest facility for keeping its edge in order by running its surface in Contact With sharpening Wheels or stones in the customary manner.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- The Within described rigid and beveled hoop knife, operating in the manner substantially as herein set forth.

D. H. CHAMBERLAIN.

lVitnesses:

Trios. R. ROACH, P. E. TEscI-IEMACHER. 

